Efficiency evaluation of treatments against rising damp by scale models and test in situ

The presence of water in masonries is one of the most relevant cause of decay in historic buildings. If water is present, particularly rising damp, degradation processes such as biological growth, powdering due to salt crystallization cycles may arise and be intensified. Treatment against rising damp is therefore generally advised for the protection and preventive conservation of historic buildings. Within this framework, the JPICH Project “Effectiveness of methods against rising damp in buildings: European practice and perspective - EMERISDA” (2014-2017) aimed at a scientifically based evaluation of the effectiveness of different methods against rising damp and at decision support tool definition for a conscious choice use of these methods in the practice of conservation. During the present paper the methodology adopted on site for the evaluation of the efficiency of methods aiming at stopping/limiting rising damp on masonries is described. Specifically, results concerning the treatments on masonries with chemical injections (solvent and water based) and with plasters application on scale models and the case study of Agorà in Ferrara (Italy) are presented.